Big carry-ons may be banned on buses, trolleys

MTS officials say unwieldy possessions, bags main cause for delays

The Metropolitan Transit System is looking to tighten up the rules on just how much “stuff” a passenger can bring aboard a San Diego trolley or bus.

Carts, strollers and cargo – which includes oversized bedrolls, trash bags filled with cans and plastic bottles and shopping carts overflowing with personal possessions – will face stricter control if the MTS Board of Directors approves a proposed series of rule changes on Thursday morning.

MTS meeting

The new rules have already received the endorsement of the board’s executive committee and its Accessible Services Advisory Committee.

“Customers have complained that these items are blocking aisles and emergency exits, creating tripping hazards, and taking up space designated for wheelchair riders,” according to CEO Paul C. Jablonski in a memo to the board.

Trolley and bus operators say that a growing number of passengers hauling extra gear aboard their vehicles is a key reason why their vehicles cannot stay on schedule, adds Jablonski.

Jablonski says the proposed rules would permit “nearly all of the cargo devices currently in use … but it would provide clear guidance as to how much and how many items one rider can bring along with them at one time.”

One exception to the rules will be the Route 992 Airport Shuttle bus – between City College and the airport -- which is designed to carry large amounts of luggage.

According to MTS spokesman Rob Schupp, the new rules “grew out of an effort to speed up our services. We’ve been trying to get at the heart of all the reasons why our buses weren’t making schedule.”

Schupp said the No. 1 assumption of staff was that the time required to load and off-load wheelchairs was the main reason for route delays.

“After interviewing drivers we were surprised to learn that the main reason was riders trying to board with overloaded carts and oversized bags,” he said. “We’re in the business of carrying people but not all of their possessions.”

Bob McElroy of Alpha Project, which is supporting 220 homeless in its winter shelter, hadn’t heard of the rule changes before being contacted by the Union-Tribune.

“We give them bus passes and trolley tokens and send them all over the city to doctor appointments and other services,” he said. “Wow. That will be tough.”

Sabrina Marroquin, left, and Ronahi Aqrawi, both 18, often see people with over-sized carry-on loads on their daily trolley commute to SDSU. They would welcome some limits on the size of baggage people can bring on board.— Robert J. Hawkins / UT

Sabrina Marroquin, left, and Ronahi Aqrawi, both 18, often see people with over-sized carry-on loads on their daily trolley commute to SDSU. They would welcome some limits on the size of baggage people can bring on board.
/ Robert J. Hawkins / UT

Alpha Project tries to reduce the possessions of its clients to two trash bags, he said, adding that even that isn’t easy to do. The homeless have “difficulty paring down,” he added. “The little bit they have is all they have. They can’t leave their belongings behind. They’ll get stolen.”

McElroy said he wasn’t contacted by MTS when the new rules were being drawn up.

San Diego State students Sabrina Marroquin and Ronahi Aqrawi, both 18, are daily riders of the trolley from Chula Vista who would welcome some limits on onboard baggage.